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April 2024

• Vanden Plas: The Empyrean Equation Of The Long Lost Things
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March 2024

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February 2024

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January 2024

• Corvus: Immortals
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[ More Music Reviews ]

Sandness: Untamed

Melodic Hard Rock

3.5/5.0

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Rockshots Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 12.06.2019 | Released: 14.06.2019

This is the review that may not have been written. My last experience with Sandness was a disappointing one. 2016's Higher & Higher was a train wreck wrapped in an explosion, and surrounded by hurricane. To quote moi, the album was "a disappointment, nearly an embarrassment for the band. I simply could not listen to it." Why on earth would I want listen to another Sandness album? But I believe in second chances.

Sandness

Untamed, the band's third album, is quite frankly a leap from the gutter to the curb, perhaps even to the sidewalk, maybe even to your front lawn. This work is so much better than that previous steaming pile of dog poo. Everything is better across the album from the vocals to the guitar riffs, from the melody and harmony to the rhythm and groove. This makes for some solid songwriting, creating catchy and lively tunes that you will actually like and want to listen to, even more than once. And that says volumes when compared to Higher & Higher. Whatever got into this trio needs to continue. As for the songs, I was impressed by many like the fast catchy rockers Life's A Thrill, Never Givin' Up, Radio Show, and Only The Youth. The acoustic instrumental Pyro shows that they band is maturing as musicians. With Until It's Over, Sandness drops a piano intro as it develops some AORish melodic hard rock. Conversely, The Deepest Side Of Me was underwhelming in its boredom, Tyger Bite sounding corny in the chorus. Nevertheless, Sandness' Untamed is a huge step forward for the band. Yes, they actually have the inspiration and talent to create enjoyable melodic hard rock. Check them out and support the band.

Warrior Soul: Rock N Roll Disease

Hard Rock

3.5/5.0

Kory Clarke and Warrior Soul return once again to stick it to the man and the world in general by means of a bony middle finger and a new album, Rock N Roll Disease ... [ Read More ]

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Sandness' Untamed is a huge step forward for the band. Yes, they actually have the inspiration and talent to create enjoyable melodic hard rock. Check them out and support the band.

Alphabetical Index

Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]